flnews_post_proc 1.7 → 1.40

data/doc/rst/flnews_post_proc.rst

@@ -50,8 +50,7 @@ some users may not always agree with the result and for arbitrary reasons:
   would like to replace it against another, based on the newsgroup you are
   about to post to.
   The post-processor program sets specific signatures as configured for one
-  or several newsgroups. You can even specify that a signature should be
-  picked randomly from a file, containing several signatures.
+  or several newsgroups.
 
 * Some custom headers may serve to convey additional information to
   interested readers of your post, like GnuPG key IDs, your language skills
@@ -61,15 +60,14 @@ some users may not always agree with the result and for arbitrary reasons:
   Custom-headers may be defined in the configuration file for the program
   and will then be added to each outgoing post.
 
-* The Archive- and the X-No-Archive header are sometimes set to avoid that an
-  article be saved and stays available to search-engines (Google, notably).
-  Test- postings, for example, do probably not justify at all that they would
-  be referenced in search-results.
-  The post-processor program can impose both headers for all posts to certain
-  newsgroups.
+* The X-No-Archive header is sometimes set to avoid that an article be
+  saved and stays available to search-engines (Google, notably). Test-
+  postings, for example, do probably not justify at all that they would be
+  referenced in search-results.
+  The post-processor program can impose the X-No-Archive header for all
+  posts to certain newsgroups.
 
-  **ATTN** As of 2024, the header “X-No-Archive“ has lost most of its utility  
-  and it is the decision of server operators to honor it or not.  
+  **ATTN** Since 2024, this header might no longer serve any purpose.
 
 * If a news post contains many references to either other posts or Web
   pages, the text can be cluttered with URLs.
@@ -93,8 +91,8 @@ have not yet been set in the configuration.
 * Signatures, as set in the configuration **can be ignored**. Either
   a default signature will appear as set in flnews or none.
 * Custom Headers, if configured, can be **omitted**.
-* The Archive- and X-No-Archive headers, if set for the current newsgroup,
-  **can be ignored**.
+* The X-No-Archive header, if set for the current newsgroup, **can be
+  ignored**.
 * Logging can be **switched off**, if set.
 
 Pushing Esc or the cancle-button of the dialog interrupts the process, flnews
@@ -168,10 +166,7 @@ categories:
  EXAMPLE: alt.test: "Thus spoke %fup_name% on that baleful %fup_date%:"
 
 **GROUP_SIGS**
- A signature line per Newsgroup or a file path. The file should contain signatures,
- already formatted and separated by 1 empty line. The program will randomly pick 
- one signature from the list.
-
+ A signature line per Newsgroup.
  ATTN! In multi line signatures, you have to use \\r\\n for line breaks.
 
  CONTENT: A newsgroup or regexp per line, followed by a colon, a space and a String.
@@ -179,8 +174,6 @@ categories:
  DEFAULT: As configured in flnews
 
  EXAMPLE: alt.test: "Signature for alt.test\\r\\nsecond line"
- 
- EXAMPLE: comp.*: /home/[user]/.my_sigs
 
 **CUSTOM_HEADERS**
  Additional headers for the outgoing article
@@ -194,9 +187,9 @@ categories:
  | - 'X-My-Header: nothing fancy'
  | - 'X-Another-Header: care not!' 
 
-**NO_ARCHIVE_GROUPS** 
- The newsgroups, where the headers “Archive: no” and “X-No-Archive: YES” shall
- be set.
+**XNAY_GROUPS**
+ The newsgroups, where a header X-No-Archive: YES shall be set.
+ **ATTN** Since 2024, this header might no longer serve any purpose.
 
  CONTENT: a dash and space, then a String, containing the name of the group or a regexp.
 
@@ -264,8 +257,12 @@ categories:
  try to correct URLs. Even if URLs are identified as such, only a few
  manipulations are attempted :
  * Angular brackets '<' and '>' are added, if missing
+ * Article-references are prepended with "news:", if missing 
  * Slashes are added, if they are found missing after "http(s):" 
 
+ ATTN! The program is unable to discern "mailto:" and "news:" references.  If
+ neither is given, but '@' is present, "news:" is automatically prepended.
+
  If the variable is not set, a value 'yes' is assumed.
 
  CONTENT: One of YES, yes, NO, no, and other variations of case.
@@ -275,13 +272,14 @@ categories:
  Example: ... I let you guess.
 
 **OVERRIDE_CONFIG**
- A Boolean constant. You can choose to override the following configuration
- options before an article is posted: GROUP_SIGS, XNAY_GROUPS, CUSTOM_HEADERS,
- DEBUG_LOG and VFY_URLS.  A dialog may be displayed which allows you to disable
- any of these five options, so that the defaults from flnews prevail.
-
- ATTN! Canceling the dialog or pushing the Esc-key does interrupt the process.
- Flnews will not post the article.
+ A Boolean constant. You can choose to override the following
+ configuration options before an article is posted:
+ GROUP_SIGS, XNAY_GROUPS, CUSTOM_HEADERS and DEBUG_LOG.
+ A dialog may be displayed which allows you to disable any of these 
+ four options, so that the defaults from flnews prevail.
+
+ ATTN! Canceling the dialog or pushing the Esc-key does interrupt 
+ the process. Flnews will not post the article.
 
  Set this option to no, NO or similar to disable the dialog.
 

data/doc/{fr/rst/flnews_post_proc.rst → rst/flnews_post_proc_fr.rst}

@@ -73,19 +73,16 @@ et ce pour des raisons arbitraires :
   Ces entêtes, – Custom-Headers – peuvent être définis dans la configuration
   du logiciel et vont être utilisées dans chaque article sortant.
 
-* Les entêtes « Archive » et « X-No-Archive » sont parfois utilisés afin
-  d'éviter l'archivage d'un article. Il ne devrait par conséquence pas être
-  trouvé par les moteurs de recherche ( Google notamment ). Les articles dans
-  les groupes de test, par exemple, ne valent probablement pas qu'on les trouve
-  parmi les résultats des recherches.
+* L'entête « X-No-Archive » est parfois utilisé afin d'éviter l'archivage
+  d'un article. Il ne devrait par conséquence pas être trouvé par les moteurs
+  de recherche ( Google notamment ). Les articles dans les groupes de test, par
+  exemple, ne valent probablement pas qu'on les trouve parmi les résultats des
+  recherches.
 
   Avec flnews_post_proc vous pouvez décider et imposer que vos articles dans
-  certains newsgroups contiendront d'office les deux entêtes **Archive: no** et
-  **X-No-Archive: Yes**.
+  certains newsgroups contiendront d'office une entête **X-No-Archive: Yes**.
 
-  **ATTENTION**: Dès 2024, l'entête « X-No-Archive » a perdu beaucoup de son
-  utilité. Les opérateurs des serveurs peuvent décider s'ils veulent le prendre
-  en considération ou non.
+  **ATTN** Depuis l'année 2024, cet entête n'a probablement plus de fonction.
 
 * Certains messages mentionnent d'autres articles ou des URLs de pages Web.
   S'ils sont nombreux, ces références peuvent déranger la lecture à cause de
@@ -115,8 +112,7 @@ des options, qui ne l'ont pas été auparavant :
 
 * Entêtes supplémentaires, si définis, peuvent rester absentes de l'article.
 
-* Les entêtes Archive et X-No-Archive, si prévus pour le newsgroup choisi,
-  peuvent être ignorés.
+* L'entête X-No-Archive, si prévu pour le newsgroup choisi, peut être ignoré.
 
 * L'auto correction de URLs et références à d'autres articles peut être
   désactivé. 
@@ -222,9 +218,9 @@ variables définis dans ce fichier peuvent être classées en deux catégories :
  | - 'X-My-Header: nothing fancy'
  | - 'X-Another-Header: care not!' 
 
-**NO_ARCHIVE_GROUPS**
- Les newsgroups, où les entêtes « Archive: no » et « X-No-Archive: yes »
- doivent être présents.
+**XNAY_GROUPS**
+ Les newsgroups, où une entête X-No-Arcive: YES doit être présent.  
+ **ATTN** Depuis l'année 2024, cet entête n'a probablement plus de fonction.
 
  CONTENU : Un trait d'union et un espace, puis une chaîne de caractères,
  contenant le nom du groupe ou une expression.
@@ -297,10 +293,11 @@ variables définis dans ce fichier peuvent être classées en deux catégories :
 
 **VFY_URLS**  
  Une constante booléen. Elle détermine si le programme doit essayer de corriger
- des URLs. Même si les URLs sont identifiables, seulement quelques manipulations
+ des URIs. Même si les URIs sont identifiables, seulement quelques manipulations
  sont temptées :
 
  * '<' et '>' sont ajoutés, si manquants
+ * "news:" est ajouté au début des références à d'autres articles 
  * Des slashes sont insérés, s'ils manquent après "http(s):"
 
  ATTN! Le programme ne peut pas différencier entre "mailto:" et "news:". Si ni l'un
@@ -315,11 +312,11 @@ variables définis dans ce fichier peuvent être classées en deux catégories :
  EXEMPLE: No
 
 **OVERRIDE_CONFIG**
- Une constante booléenne. Vous pouvez décider d'ignorer les options suivantes
- avant qu'un article est posté : GROUP_SIGS, XNAY_GROUPS, CUSTOM_HEADERS,
- VFY_URLS et DEBUG_LOG.  Un dialogue peut être affiché, qui permet la
- désactivation de chacune de ces options. Les valeurs par défaut, définis pour
- flnews, vont donc prévaloir.
+ Une constante booléenne. Vous pouvez décider d'ignorer les options
+ suivantes avant qu'un article est posté :
+ GROUP_SIGS, XNAY_GROUPS, CUSTOM_HEADERS, VFY_URLS et DEBUG_LOG.
+ Un dialogue peut être affiché, qui permet la désactivation de chacune de ces
+ options. Les valeurs par défaut, définis pour flnews, vont donc prévaloir.
 
  ATTN ! En poussant Esc ou le bouton « Annuler » du dialogue, vous interrompez 
  le programme et flnews ne va rien envoyer.

data/lib/basic_logging.rb

@@ -48,30 +48,26 @@ module BasicLogging
 
   # set the log level 
   def set_level(lv)
-    if lv.respond_to?(:to_str) && Levels.keys.include?(lv.strip.to_sym)
+    if lv.respond_to?(:to_str)
       lv = Levels[lv.to_sym]
-    elsif lv.respond_to?(:to_sym) && Levels.keys.include?(lv)
-      lv = Levels[lv]
     end
 
     if(!lv || (lv.respond_to?(:to_int) && lv >= DEBUG && lv <= FATAL) )
       @@log_level = lv
     else
-      msg = __FILE__.dup << ": ERROR : invalid log level \"" << lv.to_s << "\""
-      msg << "\n" << "Keepinng old log level " << Levels.keys.detect {| k| Levels[k] == @@log_level}.to_s
-      STDERR.puts msg
-      puts msg
+      STDERR.puts __FILE__.dup << ": ERROR : invalid log level \"" << lv.to_s << "\""
+      STDERR.puts "Keepinng old log level " << Levels.keys.detect {| k| Levels[k] == @@log_level}.to_s
     end
   end
 
   # set the log target 
   def set_target(tg)
-    if tg.respond_to?(:to_io) 
+    if !tg || tg.strip.empty?
+      @@target = nil
+    elsif tg.respond_to?(:to_io) 
       @@target = tg
     elsif(!File::exist?(tg) || ( File.file?(tg) && File.writable?(tg) ) )
       @@target = File.open(tg, 'w+')  
-    elsif !tg || tg.respond_to?(:to_str) && tg.strip.empty?
-      @@target = nil
     else
       STDERR.puts __FILE__.dup << ': ERROR : target ' << tg << ' cannot be set'
       STDERR.puts "Keeping old target " << @@target.inspect
@@ -95,50 +91,22 @@ module BasicLogging
     end
   end
 
-  def target
-    @@target.path if @@target
-  end
-
-  def level
-    @@level.to_s if @@level
-  end
-
-  # Clear the log (-file)
-  def clear_log
-    if @@target && @@target.respond_to?(:truncate)
-      lock_target{ @@target.truncate(0) }
-    end
-  end
-
   alias :debug :log
   alias :info :log
   alias :warn :log
   alias :error :log
   alias :fatal :log
 
+  attr_reader :target, :log_level
 
   private 
 
-  def lock_target(&block)
-    begin
-      if @@target.respond_to?(:flock) 
-        @@target.flock(File::LOCK_EX)
-        block.call
-        @@target.flock(File::LOCK_UN)
-      elsif @@target.respond_to?(:to_io)
-        block.call
-      end
-    rescue => ex
-      STDERR.puts __FILE__.dup  << ": ERROR : cannot lock target (" << ex.message << ")"
-    end
-  end
-
   # 1 format_log for all loggers.
   def format_log(message, mlevel)
     if @@target
       # indicate if a registered class or the registered object of a class is calling.
       name = self.class == Class ? self.name.dup << ' [class]' : self.class.name
-      lock_target{@@target.puts '' << name << ' ' << mlevel.to_s << ' ' << Time.now.strftime("%H:%M:%S:%6N")  << ': ' << message.gsub("\n", "\n |")}
+      @@target.puts '' << name << ' ' << mlevel.to_s << ' ' << Time.now.strftime("%H:%M:%S:%6N")  << ': ' << message.gsub("\n", "\n |")
     end
   end
 end

data/lib/body.rb

@@ -1,64 +1,23 @@
 #encoding: UTF-8
 
 =begin
-  /***************************************************************************
-   *   2023-2024, Michael Uplawski <michael.uplawski@uplawski.eu>            *
-   *   This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify  *
-   *   it under the terms of the WTFPL 2.0 or later, see                     * 
-   *   http://www.wtfpl.net/about/                                           *
-   *                                                                         *
-   *   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,       *
-   *   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of        *
-   *   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.                  *
-   *                                                                         *
-   ***************************************************************************/
+/***************************************************************************
+ *   2023-2024, Michael Uplawski <michael.uplawski@uplawski.eu>            *
+ *   This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify  *
+ *   it under the terms of the WTFPL 2.0 or later, see                     * 
+ *   http://www.wtfpl.net/about/                                           *
+ *                                                                         *
+ *   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,       *
+ *   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of        *
+ *   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.                  *
+ *                                                                         *
+ ***************************************************************************/
 =end
 
 require_relative 'basic_logging'
-  require_relative 'configuration'
+require_relative 'configuration'
 
-WRAP_LENGTH = 65
-# Endow the String class with a wrap function.
-# This is not yet applicable to the message body, itself.
-class String
-  include BasicLogging
-  public
-  # wraps at length, returns the result
-  def wrap! (length = WRAP_LENGTH, indent = 0)
-    max = length
-
-    line = 0
-    out = [""]
-
-    self.gsub!(/^\r\n/, "[rnrn]")
-    self.gsub!("\r\n", " ")
-    self.gsub!("  ", " ")
-
-    words = self.split(" ")
-
-    while !words.empty?
-      word = words.shift.strip
-      break if not word
-      if out[line].length + word.length > max
-        out[line].squeeze!(" ")
-        line += 1
-        out[line] = (line > 0 ? " " * indent : "")
-      end
-      out[line] << word + " "
-    end
-    out = out.join("\r\n") 
-    out.gsub!("[rnrn]", "\r\n\r\n")
-    self.replace( out)
-  end
-
-end
-
-# An object of this class represents the body of a news-article.
-# It processes the original text and changes some details:
-#    intro-lines
-#    signatures
-#    URI formats
-#    Footnotes (and/or a list of references) are created
+# an object of this class represents the body of a news-article.
 class Body
   # a class-level configuration instance.
   @@config = Configuration.instance
@@ -128,7 +87,7 @@ class Body
             i = i.next
             line = @lines[i]
           end
-          # check if there is a quote, at all
+          # check if there is a citation, at all
           if(line.start_with?('>'))
             debug("\tfound intro " << ointro)
             # variables are part of the $intro.
@@ -140,13 +99,6 @@ class Body
             # exchange original intro-line against the new one
             @lines[@lines.index(ointro)] = intro.strip 
             # looked complicated because it is.
-
-            # keep this line for reference.
-            @intro = intro
-          else
-            wmsg = 'Text following the intro is not a citation!'
-            wmsg << "\n\tIntro will NOT be modified: \"#{ointro}\"!"
-            warn wmsg
           end
         end
       end # fn.strip.empty?
@@ -159,7 +111,7 @@ class Body
       # remove any signature(s) from 
       # the current article
       sigpos = @lines.index('-- ')
-      debug('found signature in line ' << sigpos.to_s) if sigpos
+      debug('found signature at position ' << sigpos) if sigpos
       @lines = @lines.slice(0, sigpos ) if sigpos
       debug('setting signature ' << signature) if signature
       @lines << "-- " << signature if signature
@@ -167,29 +119,18 @@ class Body
   end
 
   def join 
-    new_body = @lines.join($LN) << $LN
-    # replace ellipsis 
-    new_body.force_encoding('utf-8').gsub!('...', '…')
-    return new_body
+    return @lines.join("\r\n")
   end
-
-  # ------->
-  # TODO : Concentrate all URL/URI munging functionality in 1 or 2 helper
-  # classes, e.g. Body::News and Body::Http
-  # <------ 
-
+ 
   # Verify and possibly correct links in the post.
   # Simple.
-  def handle_uris() 
+  def handle_urls() 
     # Determine here or elsewhere if URLs shall be verified.
-    # Default is no. nil or '' do qualify as default.
-    debug 'verify URLs ? ' << @@config.VFY_URLS.to_s
+    # Default is != no. nil or '' do qualify as default.
     if @@config.VFY_URLS
-      debug 'verifying URLs'
       @lines.each_with_index do | l, i | 
         # leave cited lines as they are.
         if !l.start_with?( '>') 
-=begin Currently Unused
           # IMPORTANT --------------------------------->
           # IT IS HENCEFORTH PROHIBITED TO WRITE AN EMAIL-ADDRESS
           # IN THE BODY OF A NEWS-POST AND TO NOT PREPEND IT WITH
@@ -199,9 +140,7 @@ class Body
           #  <----------------------------
 
           # BUGFIX : Urls with @
-          # BUGFIX : email address in the intro 
-          new_line = handle_news(l) if !@intro || l.strip != @intro.strip
-=end
+          new_line = handle_news(l)   
           # http(s)
           if l.include?('http')
             new_line = handle_http(l)
@@ -211,7 +150,7 @@ class Body
       end # @lines.each_with_index
     end # if verify
   end
-  #
+
   # extract URL or other stuff, if configured for footnotes, 
   def handle_references()
     # a symbol or string to mark the beginning an ending of a future footnote.
@@ -229,8 +168,9 @@ class Body
         # to the whole body, over multiple lines, if need be.
         begin
           ref = body.match(ref_rx )
-          debug("found reference " << ref.to_s << " (length: " << (ref ? ref.to_s.size.to_s : '0') << ")") if ref && ref.length > 0
+          debug("found reference " << ref.to_s << " (length: " << (ref ? ref.to_s.size.to_s : '0') << ")")
           if ref 
+            debug('ref is ' << ref.to_s)
             #  ... This is some presentation thing and I think
             #  it works, too.
             r = ref[0].gsub(/[ \t]+/, ' ').strip
@@ -240,11 +180,7 @@ class Body
             body.gsub!(ref[0], format(@@config.REFERENCE_FORMAT, index.to_s ))
           end
         end until ref == nil
-        debug("all references found:\n" << references.join('\n')) if !references.empty?
-        # re-wrap body
-        # ATTN! Does not work!
-        # body.wrap!(WRAP_LENGTH)
-
+        debug("all references found:\n" << references.join('\n'))
       else
         msg = 'The References Delimiter is the same in its reversed form.'
         msg << "#{$LN}Cannot handle references or footnotes!"
@@ -256,40 +192,30 @@ class Body
         body << $LN << @@config.REFERENCES_SEPARATOR << $LN
         references.each_with_index do |r, i| 
           r = r.gsub(ref_delim, '').gsub(ref_delim.reverse,'')
-          num = (i + 1).to_s << ") "
-          r.strip!
-          debug 'reference ' << r
-          body << num << r <<  $LN
+          body << (i + 1 ).to_s << ") " << r.strip <<  $LN
         end
-      else
-        debug('no refences found')
       end
     end
     @lines = body.split($LN)
-    @encoding = body.encoding
   end
   private 
 
   # handle <news:..@...>
   def handle_news(l)
     # ... “Do not trust nobody!”
-    if l.include?('@') && ! l.include?('http:') && ! l.include?('https:') 
+    if l.include?('@') && ! l.include?('http:') 
       # And I forgot how this works. It does.
       l.split.collect do |ele| 
         # angular brackets are there alright. Hurra. 
         url = ele.match(/\<(.*)\>/)
         unless !url
           debug(' with angular brackets: ' << url.inspect)
-          l = l.sub(url[1], 'news:' << url[1]) if !url[1].start_with?('mailto') && !url[1].start_with?('news')
+          l = l.sub(url[1], 'news:' << url[1]) if !url[1].include?('mailto')
         else
           url = ele.match(/\S+@(\.|[^\p{P}]+)\S+/)
           if url
             debug(' withOUT angular brackets: ' << url.inspect)
-            if !url[0].start_with?('mailto') && !url[0].start_with?('news')
-              l.sub!(url[0], 'news:' << url[0] )          
-            end
-            l.sub!('news:', '<news:')
-            l.sub!(url[0], url[0] << '>')
+            l = l.sub(url[0], '<news:' << url[0] << '>') if !url[0].include?('mailto')
           end
         end
       end # url_strs = collect
@@ -301,16 +227,7 @@ class Body
   def handle_http(l)
     debug('handle http')
     l_array = l.split
-    url_strs = l_array.collect do |ele| 
-      if ele.strip.include?('http') && ele.match(/https?:\S+/)
-        ele.lstrip! 
-        # ensure last character is alphanumeric or '>' or '/'
-        until ele.match(/([[:alnum:]]|>|\/)$/) do 
-          ele.chop!
-        end
-        ele
-      end
-    end.compact
+    url_strs = l_array.collect{|ele| ele.strip.include?('http') ? ele.strip : nil}.compact
     debug('url_strs: ' << url_strs.to_s)
     url_strs.each do |str|
       # keep str for final replacement
@@ -318,13 +235,13 @@ class Body
       debug( 'try to match http-link')
       begin
         # missing slashes ?
-        match = str.match(/(https?):(\/*)/)
+        match = str.match(/(https?):(\/{2})/)
         if (!match || match.length != 3 || match[2] != '//')
-          debug 'cannot find (enough) slashes in the URL'
+          debug 'cannot find slashes in the URL'
           if str.match(/https:/)
-            nstr = str.sub(/https:\/*/, "https://")
+            nstr = str.sub(/https:/, "https://")
           elsif str.match(/http:/)
-            nstr = str.sub(/http:\/*/, "http://") 
+            nstr = str.sub(/http:/, "http://") 
           end
           debug ' with slashes: ' << nstr
         end
@@ -335,9 +252,8 @@ class Body
         match = nstr.match(/\<?(https?:\/\/[^\>]*)\>?/)
         # get the darned URL already!
         url = match[1] if match
-        debug 'url is ' << url
-        #  nstr = with_angular_brackets(nstr, url)
-        l.sub!(str, nstr)
+       #  nstr = with_angular_brackets(nstr, url)
+        return l.sub(str, nstr)
       rescue Exception => ex
         # this had looked intelligent, once.
         line = __LINE__
@@ -348,17 +264,7 @@ class Body
         exit false
       end
     end
-
-    return l
   end
 end
-# ------- TEST --------
-
-puts "eins zwei drei vier fünf sechs sieben acht neun zehn\n
-eins zwei drei vier fünf sechs sieben acht neun zehn\n
-\n
-eins zwei drei vier fünf sechs sieben acht neun zehn\n
-eins zwei drei vier fünf sechs sieben acht neun zehn".wrap!(20)
-
 # Ω
 

data/lib/configuration.rb

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ class Configuration
   include Singleton
   include BasicLogging
 
+  self.extend(BasicLogging)
 
   def initialize() 
     debug 'Configuration::initialize()'
@@ -91,15 +92,14 @@ class Configuration
       end
       @conf[:CONFIG_VERSION] = PROGVERSION.to_f
       bak_conf = @config_file.dup << '_' << conf_version.to_s
-      bak_conf.gsub!('.' << PROGNAME,  'bak_' << PROGNAME)
       info('Old configuration is saved to ' << bak_conf ) 
       info('New configuration is saved to ' << @config_file ) 
       begin
         File::write(bak_conf, File.read(@config_file))
         File::write(@config_file, @conf.to_yaml)
       rescue Exception => ex
-        msg = "Cannot write altered configuration to " << @config_file << "!\n\t" << ex.message
-        STDERR.puts(msg << "\nAborting, bye\n")
+        msg = ex.message
+        error "Cannot write altered configuration to " << @config_file << "!"
         error msg
         exit false
       end
@@ -115,26 +115,19 @@ class Configuration
     if File::exist?(@config_file) && File::readable?(@config_file)
       begin
         @conf = YAML::load_file(@config_file)
-
         @conf.transform_keys!{|k| k.to_sym}
         @keys = @conf.keys
         clevel = @conf[:LOG_LEVEL]
         set_level clevel
-        target_string = @conf[:DEBUG_LOG]
-        set_target (target_string == 'STDOUT' ? STDOUT : target_string)
-        # clear the log file.
-        clear_log
-        debug('log target and -level set: ' << @@log_level.to_s << ', ' << target_string)
+        set_target @conf[:DEBUG_LOG]
+        debug('log target and -level set: ' << @@log_level.to_s << ', ' << @@target.path)
       rescue Exception => ex
-        msg = "Cannot use the configuration-file (" << @config_file << ")"
-        msg << "\n\t" << ex.message
-        # No log.
-        # error msg
-        STDERR.puts(msg << "\nAborting, bye\n") 
+        msg = ex.message
+        error msg
         exit false
       end
     else
-      STDERR.puts("Cannot read the configuration-file (" << @config_file << ")") 
+      STDERR.puts("cannot read the configuration-file (" << @config_file << ")") 
       exit false
     end
   end